FDA scraps plan for asbestos testing in talc cosmetics
This decision reflects ongoing regulatory reassessment and public health considerations, with a commitment to introduce a revised rule in the near future.
USA – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has officially withdrawn its proposed rule that would have mandated mandatory asbestos testing for talc-containing cosmetics, according to recent public notices and news reports.
This move marks a reversal of a Biden-era initiative, with the Trump administration citing the need to reassess the most effective methods for minimizing asbestos exposure in cosmetics, as well as concerns about the broader implications of the rule on products classified as drugs.
The FDA stated that it is retracting the proposal due to “good cause,” pointing to complex scientific and technical issues raised in public feedback, as well as legal considerations under the Administrative Procedure Act.
The agency emphasized that both talc and asbestos are minerals that can occur together in nature, which means talc-based products could be contaminated with asbestos—a known human carcinogen.
The FDA noted that it will issue a new rule in the future to comply with the 2022 Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA), which requires government-mandated asbestos testing for talc-containing cosmetics.
Environmental and consumer advocacy groups have expressed concern over the withdrawal. Scott Faber, vice president for government affairs at the Environmental Working Group, criticized the administration for potentially putting public health at risk by withdrawing a rule intended to protect consumers from asbestos exposure.
The FDA acknowledged that the previous proposal could have unintended consequences, such as affecting products beyond cosmetics, including drugs, and that any standardized testing requirements must be carefully crafted to avoid broader regulatory impacts.
Until now, there has been no specific, officially required method in the U.S. to test for asbestos in cosmetics, leading to calls for harmonized testing practices and enhanced consumer safety.
The FDA’s withdrawal notice indicates that the agency will propose a new rule to address these issues, ensuring that any future requirements for detecting asbestos in talc-containing products are both scientifically robust and legally sound.
The agency will continue to sample and test talc-containing cosmetics for asbestos as part of its ongoing efforts to reduce consumer exposure to this carcinogen.
Meanwhile, Washington recently became the first state in the United States to impose a comprehensive ban on formaldehyde and all formaldehyde-releasing chemicals in beauty products and cosmetics.
This ban builds on the state’s Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act (TFCA), adopted in 2023, which already prohibited formaldehyde in cosmetics as of January 2025.
The recent adoption extends the ban to 25 formaldehyde-releasing chemicals found in various personal care products, including shampoos, nail polishes, eyelash glues, and hair treatments, effective as of January 1, 2027.
Retailers in Washington have until the end of 2027 to sell through existing inventory.
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